How and Where to View the Solar Eclipse in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country
CODY, Wyo., Aug. 7, 2017 – The biggest celestial event of the century is occurring in a few weeks, and residents and visitors in Wyoming will have front row seats.
Although Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country is slightly north of the total solar eclipse path that is cutting through the width of the state on August 21, viewing is still expected to be excellent. Cody is expecting a 98 percent obscuration rate, meaning that only a sliver of sun will be viewable as the moon passes in front.
Beck Lake Park near the airport features asphalt trails around two reservoirs.
“The unobstructed skies of Yellowstone Country are perfect for viewing the eclipse, and all eyes will be on the sky that morning,” said Claudia Wade director of the Park County Travel Council, the marketing arm for the region. “We recommend that locals and visitors alike grab their protective eclipse eyewear – which they can purchase for a nominal fee from the Cody Chamber of Commerce – and settle in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Protective eyewear essential
Experts urge everyone who intends to experience the eclipse, regardless of location, to purchase protective solar eclipse eyewear. In Yellowstone Country, visitors and locals can purchase disposable glasses for $5. These glasses are an essential precaution to prevent the sun’s powerful rays from burning the retinas and potentially causing damage and even blindness.
Where to watch
Skygazers in Yellowstone Country have many options, from one of Cody’s city parks to remote Bureau of Land Management trails. Here are some suggestions.
- Beck Lake Park is a city park near the Yellowstone Regional Airport with two miles of asphalt trails encircling two large reservoirs. Points along the trail offer spectacular views of the town and beyond.
- Situated on the shore of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Buffalo Bill State Park is a good choice for boaters, campers, paddlers and anglers who want to combine a day of viewing with other outdoor fun. The brainchild of town founder Buffalo Bill Cody, the massive reservoir provides irrigation to the farms and ranches throughout the region.
City Park is convenient for people already in town.
- Cody’s City Park is centrally located within steps of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and it is a good choice for travelers who plan to tour the town after the eclipse. The park features an outdoor stage that is often used for Cody’s many events and festivals as well as manicured grass for visitors to bring along a picnic.
- The charming nearby town of Meeteetse is another possibility. The town may be the most fitting place for friends to meet for a viewing party because the name of the town is derived from an Indian phrase that means “meeting place.” The town’s old-fashioned wooden boardwalk lining both sides of main street will provide a fitting authentic Western backdrop such an unusual Wyoming experience.The solar eclipse will pass over Wyoming with Cody close to the complete blockage of the sun.
The solar eclipse will pass over Wyoming with Cody close to the complete blockage of the sun.
- Four Bear Trail is a Bureau of Land Management area to the west of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The trail – open to hikers and equestrians – summits at about 7,600 feet and offers spectacular views of the North Fork Shoshone River Valley and the volcanic spires and red rock formations of the region. Wildlife like golden eagles and bighorn sheep can often be viewed from the trail.
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Yellowstone Country is comprised of the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park. The area of Park County is called “Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country” because it was the playground of Buffalo Bill Cody himself. Buffalo Bill founded the town of Cody in 1896, and the entire region was driven and is still heavily influenced by the vision of the Colonel. Today its broad streets, world-class museum Buffalo Bill Center of the West and thriving western culture host nearly 1 million visitors annually.
Related hashtags: #YellowstoneCountry #CodyWyoming #CenteroftheWest #BuffaloBill #Yellowstone #Wyoming
Media contact:
Mesereau Travel Public Relations
(970) 286-2751
